Methodist Hospital expansion

I went to the meeting last night at John Jay. Methodist

plans to put up a building that will give them an extra

300,000 square feet of space in addition to another 500

parking spaces.

Putting aside the aesthetics of the building which they are

plan to match in color the yellow of St. Savior's, they were very short on detail on many issues. First, they claim that there will not be a huge influx of people, cars,

employees etc since they are merely rearranging and moving

things internally. Supposedly, only 1/3 of the space will be for new service which include an urgent care center open till 11pm.

They did not have any plan for traffic management yet and were not receptive to a request from a member of the land use committee that the impact study be widened from the minimum required by the city. They did not have any number as to how many more people this would bring in to an already crowded area, nor how 6th Street which is already overrun with ambulettes, car services, double parked cars will be able to handle more traffic.

People spoke about the chronic mess of ambulances, car services and accident on the corner of 7th Av and 7th St.

The hospital spokesperson Lynn Hill denied any responsibility on the part of the hospital for management of this problem which does not bode well for the future.

One thing she said that stood out that I did not see reported elsewhere is that the hospital is moving all administrative functions out of the area. Surely this is a negative for the area in terms of job losses.

Please spread the word that a huge development that will forever change the area is in the works.

There is another meeting on the subject on Monday 9/30

starting at 6.30 at the Garfield Temple.

Renderings and jabbering:

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2013/09/renderings-for-methodist-expansion-published/#comments